Seal opening device and apparatus containing same

Abstract

The invention described herein provides a seal opening device structured as a component of an automated system that ruptures seals from sealed containers. The invention is particularly useful within the context of a repackaging process where automated opening of laminated and/or foil seals is needed, such as repackaging pharmaceutical or nutritional supplement products and combining their contents into larger containers or bottles. The seal opening device comprises a generally elongated and substantially planar blade wherein the distal portion of the blade forms a generally chevron configuration. The distal end of the blade further comprises an arcuate bend initiating at a position proximal to the apex tip and continuing to the tip. The invention further provides an automated seal opening apparatus structured to rupture seals from container openings comprising the seal opening device. The invention further includes an automated method of opening a seal of a sealed container utilizing the seal opening device.

1. An automated process of opening seals on sealed containers, said process comprising the steps of:
 a) positioning a sealed container in alignment with a seal opening device, said seal opening device comprising a blade having an overall chevron configuration and longitudinal axis, a proximal end and a distal end, and a first surface and a second surface on opposing sides of the blade, 
 wherein said blade defines an outer perimeter shared by said first and second surfaces, 
 wherein said distal end of said blade has a curved first edge and a curved second edge located on opposing sides and converging to form a pointed apex tip, and 
 wherein said distal end of said blade further comprises an arcuate bend initiating at a position proximal to the apex tip and continuing to the tip, such that one of said first and second surfaces is concave and the other of said first and second surfaces is convex; 
 b) introducing said tip of said seal opening device to said seal of said sealed container thereby puncturing and peeling said seal; and 
 c) withdrawing said seal opening device from said container; 
 wherein steps b) and c) include linearly moving said seal opening device along a longitudinal axis and substantially perpendicular relative to a planar surface defined by said container seal. 
 
   
   
     2. The process according to  claim 1  wherein step (a) comprises sequentially positioning a plurality of sealed containers into alignment with said seal opening device. 
   
   
     3. The process according to  claim 1  wherein said sealed containers is sealed by a foil seal. 
   
   
     4. The process according to  claim 1  wherein step b) comprises moving said sealed container toward said seal opening device. 
   
   
     5. The process according to  claim 4 , wherein said seal opening device is positioned such that said concave surface and said apex tip are oriented toward a container approaching said seal opening device. 
   
   
     6. The process according to  claim 1 , wherein following step c), a portion of the seal as ruptured at step b) remains attached to said container. 
   
   
     7. An apparatus for opening a seal of a sealed container, said apparatus comprising:
 a) seal opening device comprising a blade having an overall chevron configuration and longitudinal axis, a proximal end and a distal end, and a first surface and a second surface on opposing sides of the blade; 
 wherein said blade defines an outer perimeter shared by said first and second surfaces, 
 wherein said distal end of said blade has a curved first edge and a curved second edge located on opposing sides and converging to form a pointed apex tip, and 
 wherein said distal end of said blade further comprises an arcuate bend initiating at a position proximal to the apex tip and continuing to the tip, such that one of said first and second surfaces is concave and the other of said first and second surfaces is convex; 
 b) control mechanism for moving seal opening device into contact with and away from a seal of a sealed container; and 
 c) positioning mechanism for moving said sealed container into alignment with said seal opening device. 
 
   
   
     8. The apparatus according to  claim 7 , wherein said apparatus comprises the seal opening device attached to said control mechanism. 
   
   
     9. The apparatus according to  claim 7 , wherein said control mechanism comprises a linear actuator. 
   
   
     10. The apparatus according to  claim 9 , wherein said linear actuator moves said seal opening device along a longitudinal axis perpendicular relative to a planar surface of said seal on said sealed container. 
   
   
     11. The apparatus according to  claim 7 , wherein said positioning mechanism comprises a pair of gripping belts structured to move said container relative to said control mechanism and seal opening device. 
   
   
     12. The apparatus according to  claim 7 , wherein said positioning device moves said container toward said seal opening device such that said concave surface and said apex tip are oriented toward an approaching container provided by said positioning mechanism.